Beverage flow distributor means for bottle filling devices

ABSTRACT

The bottle filler device is provided for use in machines having a member forming a valve seat in a filling head and where the valve means are vertically positioned for reciprocation to and from engagement with the valve seat. A beverage flow distributor means is carried by the valve means and positioned therebelow, which distributor means includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced blades positioned in the beverage flow path for setting up a swirling tubular flow on the beverage as it moves towards a bottle to fill the same.

United States Patent 1191 nnnnnngty/ j,

Copping 1 Sept. 11, 1973 BEVERAGE FLOW DISTRIBUTOR MEANS FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS FOR BOTTLE FILLING DEVICES 80,665 4/1963 France 141/48 r .7 m1 1 .1 1,371,972 3 1964 F 141 2 [75] Inventor: Bruce G. Copping, Akron, Oh1o I fame I 86 OTHER PUBLICATIONS [73] Assignee: Automatic Sprinkler Corporation of German Printed Application 1,134,233 12-1964 Win- America, willoughby, Ohio terwerb Filed: May, 1969 Primary Examiner-Houston S. Bell, Jr. 121] Appl. No.: 822,132 Attorney-Gldham & Oldham Related U.S. Application Data 57] ABSTRACT I [63] figgg itgfiglgg of The bottle filler device is provided for use in machines having a member forming a valve seat in a filling head 52 us. (:1 141/286, 141/39, 141 /302 and Where the valve means r vertically Psitioned for [51 Int. Cl. B670 3/06 reciprocation to and from engagement with the valve 511 Field of Search 141/39 40 46 43 A beverage flow distributor means is carried by 141/286 25 i the valve means and positioned therebelow, which distributor means includes a plurality of circumferentially '56] References Cited spaced blades positioned in the beverage flow path for UNITED STATES PATENTS setting up a swirling tobular flow on the beverage as it moves towards a bottle to fill the same. 3,500,879 3/1970 Meyer 141/40 1 D 196,489 10/1877 Shepard..... 251/126 x 8 Chums, 5 Draw/mg Flglll'es 1,641,550 9/1927 Ross 141/286 2,792,680 5/1957 Edel 141/286 X 3,209,794 10/1965 Granier 141/46 PATENTEB SEP] 1 i973 SHEH 1 0F 2 ATTORNEYS.

PATENTEUSEPI Hm 3.757. 835

SHEH 2 0F 2 INVENTOR. BRUCE G. COPPING ATTORNEYS.

BEVERAGE FLOW DISTRIBUTOR MEANS FOR BOTTLE FILLING DEVICES This is a continuation-in-part of my prior application Ser. No. 767,396, filed Oct. 14, 1968, now abandoned.

The present invention relates to bottle filling devices especially for use with counterpressure bottle filling machines and the invention particularly relates to beverage flow distributor means associated with a valve means provided in the filling head of such unit and wherein novel liquid distributor means are provided in association with the valve means for improving the ra pidity of liquid flow through a filling head.

Heretofore there have been various types of container filling heads provided in beverage processing machinery, and one particular prior art patent is Granier U. S. Pat. No. 3,209,794 which shows and describes known prior types of beverage processing apparatus for filling bottles or other containers with the desired beverage and which patent shows a means to process beverages with fruit pulp or other particles therein. U.S. Pat. No. 3,143,151 also shows a representative prior art structure. The present invention will be described as being in or relating to abottle filler apparatus, but it should be realized that any type of container can be used in association with the apparatus of the invention. However, the apparatus is particularly suitable for use in filling bottles with various types of beverages. These beverages normally would be carbonated and may include some appreciable amounts of fruit pulp or other solid particles. a

It obviously is desirable to have the filling heads in bottle filling machines fill the bottles uniformly and as rapidly as possible. While some filling heads now avail able havea rapid flow of beverage therethrough, filling machines obviously can have greater outputs if the beverage filling speed is increased.

The general object of the present invention is to providea novel and improved beverage flow distributor means in bottle filling devices whereby the rapidity of bottle filling actions can be improved.

Another object of the invention is to provide a plurality of circumferentially spaced blades positioned to extend generally radially of a counterpressure tube in the bottle filler device, but which blades are also inclined in a circumferential direction to aid in directing the beverage for rapid flow through the bottle filler device.

Further objects of the invention are toimprove existing bottle filler devices and to improve and speed up the flow of beverages therethrough; tolprovide bottle filler deviceswhich function to fill bottles to a uniform height; to modify conventional bottle filler devices in usetoday in a minimum manner and by means which can fit into existing apparatus; to provide improved bottle filling devices which will function effectively over a long service life with a minimum of maintenance thereon; and to provide relatively inexpensive modifications in bottle filler devices tozimprove the functioning thereof.

In the present invention, as one embodiment thereof, the novel and improved bottle filler devices of the invention normally include a member forming a valve seat in the individual filler heads or devices of the machines, a valve means is positioned for reciprocation to and from engagement with the valve seat, and a counterpressure tube usually is carried by the valve means on its longitudinal axis to protrude vertically in both directions therefrom. The improved device of the invention includes a beverage flow distributor means secured to the valve means and positioned below the valve seat when the valve means is in its closed position, which distributor means includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced blades positioned around the counterpressure tube and being generally radially positioned but inclined in a circumferential direction to aid in guiding and controlling the flow of liquid through the bottle filler device. a

Particular attention is now directed to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary vertical section of a bottle filler device of the invention showing one unit thereof in association with a bottle filling machine;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical section through the valve means and associated members of the filler device of the invention showing the valve means in its closed position;

} FIG. 3is a vertical section like FIG. 2 but with the valve means moved to its open position and before beverage flow starts;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section like FIG. 3 but with the choke valve member moved to its open position with beverage flowing through the filler device; and

FIG. Sis a horizontal section taken on line 5--5 of FIG. 3.

"When referring to corresponding members shown in the drawings and referred to in the specification, corresponding numerals are used to facilitate comparison therebetween. r

The bottle filler device of the invention is indicated as a whole by the numeral 10, and one of such devices is adapted to be associated with each of a plurality of bottle filling heads 11 provided at circumferentially spaced stations on or portions of a hermetically sealed, rotatable bowl or filler tank 12 provided in conventional bottle filling apparatus A which is in widespread commercial use today. This enclosed tank 12 is adapted to contain both the liquid to be used for filling the bottles by the apparatus of the invention, and it also receives a conventional gas such as CO under pressure. The level of the liquid or beverage 13 in the tank 12' is maintained within predetermined limits by con ventional control meansand the gas pressureabove the liquid 13 is maintained at a suitable pressure, generally about 15 to 60 psi, depending upon the particular beverage being handled, which gas pressure is normally automatically controlled. A bottom 114 of the tank 12 has a plurality of circumferentially spaced discharge open- I ings 15 in which the individual bottle filling heads 11 are positioned in suitably circumferentially spaced relationship so that a plurality of bottles can be rapidly and automatically filled by the apparatus or machine with which the bottle filling devices 10 of the invention are operably associated.

FIG. 1 of the drawings brings out that the bottle filling heads 11 each comprise several main operating units including a liquid valve assembly .16 for controlling the flow of beverage into the container or bottle 17 to be filled, a counterpressure gas or charging valve generally designated by the numeral 18 to control the flow of counterpressure and/or charging gas into the bottle 17, and a snift valve indicated as a whole by the numeral 19.

The valve assembly 16 is made from conventional members and includes a sleeve 21 which may be provided with a bottom end flange 22 to aid in the positioning thereof in suitable sealed engagement with the bottom 14 of the tank 12. The sleeve 21 has an internal shoulder 23 also provided therein adjacent its lower end and an upper end plug 24 slidably engages the sleeve 21. The sleeve 21 has a plurality of relatively large vertically extending slots or apertures 25 therein and lower apertures 125 therein whereby beverage 13 in the tank 12 is available within the sleeve at all times for flow downwardly thereof through the valve assembly 16 into the associated bottle 17 when the valve is open.

The specific valve assembly or means comprises a resilient valve or valve ring 26 secured against a flange 27 provided on a member secured to a counterpressure supply tube 28 that extends axially of the valve assembly 16 and protrudes from both ends thereof for a purpose to be described hereinafter in more detail. The end plug 24 is secured to the counterpressure supply tube 28. Such valve ring 26 is adapted to seat on a valve seat 29 formed on a member 38 suitably attached to the sleeve 21 adjacent the lower end thereof. A beverage flow path or discharge bore 31 is provided in the member 30 and associated means which may include a downwardly converging conical tube 32 carried by the member 30 in any suitable manner. A resilient bottle neck engaging member 130 is suitably carried by the lower end of the member 30. The valve assembly and particularly the valve ring 26 is forced upwardly at all times by a suitable coil spring 33 compressed between the upper end plug 24 and the shoulder 23. A guide block 34 is suitably secured to the counterpressure supply tube 28 immediately adjacent and slightly below the shoulder 23 formed on-the sleeve 21. This block 34 does not fill the bore formed by the shoulder 23 and also is provided with a pair of opposed, longitudinally extending flanges 35 to prevent the block 34 from moving upwardly past the shoulder 23 to limit the upward movement and determine the normal position of the counterpressure supply tube 28 and members fixedly secured thereto. 1

A conical choke valve member 36 encompasses the counterpressure supply tube below the block 34 and a coil spring 37 urges such choke valve member 36 upwardly at all times. The lower end of the spring 37 abuts on the flange 27 and urges the choke valve member 36 upwardly to seat its upper portion against the lower surface of the block 34 when the valve ring 26 engages the valve seat 29, as shown in FIG. 2. However, this coil spring 37 is relatively light in weight and strength and/or is made from a relatively weak coil where the convolutions of the spring normally have some slight spacing therebetween. Such tubular choke valve 36 preferably is made from any suitable inert plastic material, such as nylon, which can readily be molded to the shape shown and with such member having a plurality of relatively large apertures 38 formed therein intermediate the top and bottom portions of the choke valve member which also has a bottom ring 39 formed thereon. This bottom ring has a cylindrical, vertically extending portion and it also has a downwardly and inwardly inclined surface 40 formed on a thickened lower portion of such bottom ring, for a purpose to be described hereinafter in more detail. The inner diameter of the lower portion of the bottom ring 39 is such as to provide a small radial overlap and engagement between the inner edge of the surface 40 of such bottom ring and the periphery of the valve ring 26, when the valve means is in its open position, as shown in FIG. 3 and when no beverage is flowing downwardly through the sleeve 21. FIG. 4 does show, however, how the choke valve member 36 will move downwardly against the action of the coil spring 37 when beverage is released for flow into an associated bottle. It should be noted that the valve ring 26 includes a downwardly and inwardly inclined surface or portion 41 and that the inclined surface 40 of the bottom part or ring 39 of the choke valve member is substantially parallel to such portion 41, FIG. 5, and with the lower surface or edge of the bottom ring 39 vertically overlapping the valve ring 26 in some positions, as in FIG. 3, as hereinafter explained in more detail.

The counterpressure gas supply means 18 is of conventional design and includes a cap member 50 which fits over the top of the counterpressure supply tube 28 and which has a plurality of ports 52 therein for flow of the counterpressure gas from the upper portion of the tank 12 down through a bore 53 of this tube 28. The cap 50 has a sealing disc 54 therein whereby when the cap 50 is pressed downwardly, it will seal the upper end of the bore 53, but when the cap 50 is raised, counterpressure gas can readily flow to and through the counterpressure supply tube. A light weight or strength coil spring 55 operatively engages the cap 50 and normally moves it to an elevated or open position, but with the cap being readily movable in telescopic engagement with the upper end of the tube 28 downwardly to a sealed position. The upper end of the cap 50 has a T- shaped extension 56 secured thereto so that conventional means indicated at 57 can engage between the upper end of the cap 50 and the T-shaped extension 56 for moving the cap to an open or closed position, as desired, and/or for exerting downward pressure upon the counterpressure supply tube 28 for moving the valve ring 26 to a closed position, all in a conventional manner by usual means associated with the machines in use today. I

The counterpressure supply tube 28 has one or more apertures 60 provided at the lowermost end thereof whereby when the cap 51 is raised, counterpressure gas provided in the tank 12 will flow down through the bore of such tube 28 and out into the bottle 17 until suitable counterpressure is set up therein. When counterpressure in the bottle, plus upward force of the spring 33 exceeds the downward pressure from the beverage and gas in the bowl exerted on the upper side of the valve ring 26, then the valve ring 26 and associated means will rise and flow will begin. At this time, the valve ring 26 is spaced from the valve seat 29 and fluid will flow rapidly down through the slots 25 and holes in the sleeve 21 and through the remainder of the fluid flow path for discharge into the bottle. The choke valve member 36 is moved to, or retained in its open (downward) position by the rush or pressure start of beverage flow into a bottle by the pressure head of beverage in the tank 12.

It should be noted that the coil spring 37 is sufficiently low in strength that just the flowing pressure of the beverage, when moving through the valve assembly 16 on a plurality of the substantially downwardly and radially extending arms 36a of such choke valve member push such member downwardly into or retain it in the position shown in FIG. 4. Then the apparatus of the invention will function to discharge or flow a sufficient quantity of the beverage 13 into the bottle rapidly to fill it to a desired height.

As an important feature of the present invention, it is seen that the beverage flows down between the lower portion of the valve ring 26 and the associated surfaces of the valve seat 29 in substantially tubular shape, and the beverage preferably is adapted to have a swirling motion provided therein to form or retain a tubular shape for this beverage as it flows downwardly into the bottle 17. To aid in achieving this goal of a rapid, substantially helical, or tubular flow of liquid through the apparatus, a beverage distributor means is provided immediately below the valve ring 26. Such beverage distributor means or member is indicated as a whole by the numeral 70 and it is tubular and includes a support ring or annular support 71 of downwardly tapering conical shape and which ring has a plurality of blades 72 formed as a unit therewith and protruding downwardly from such ring. These blades 72 and ring 71 normally are molded as a unit with the member 76 from a suitable plastic material, such as nylon, but they can be made from any suitable material. The blades 72 are of greater radial length at their lower sections and have radially inner edges at least adjacent and preferably contacting the counterpressure supply tube 28. The blades 72 extend in a general radial direction, but they are also slightly twisted, inclined, or directed in a circumferential direction. The blades 72 resemble conventional turbine blades. Normally the upper edges of these blades 72 protrude slightly radially from the periphery of the ring 71. The function of these blades 72, which naturally are all of uniform size and inclination, is to tend to direct beverage flowing between such beverage distributormeans 70 and the adjacent surfaces of the bore 31 and the flow distributor tube 32 is such as to cause a helical flow path to be provided for the beverage moving down through the bottle filler device in the valving area thereof. It has been discovered that this helical flow path provides a more rapid filling action for bottles associated with the apparatus. In fact, as much as a percent increase in bottle filling speed has been obtained by use of the device of the present invention in relation to prior constructions.

The snift control valve 19 as referred to hereinbefore, is of conventional construction and operates in a conventional manner, as described in prior art patents including U. S. Pat. No. 3,209,794, to lower the pressure in a filled bottle to atmospheric.

The apparatus of the invention is adapted to handle any type of carbonated beverage or similar material, and it particularly is suitable for processing beverages having an appreciable amount of pulptherein as the pulp will readily flow through the rather wide flow path established in the means of the invention.

When the beverage has been introduced into the bottle 17 to a suitable height and the aperture 60 in the counterpressure supply tube 28 is covered with beverage, flow of the beverage terminates automatically with termination of the flow of the counterpressure gas back-up through the tube, as the tank and bottle gas pressures are the same. At that time, the spring 37 will return the choke valve member 36 to the sealed or closed position shown in FIG. 3 with the surface 41 engaging the valve ring 26. This prevents any counter flow of gas up and liquid down from above the valve ring 26 to drain down into the bottle 17. After a very short interval, the conventional control means provided actuate the counterpressure supply tube 28 and it is moved vertically whereby the valve ring 26 is brought back down into engagement with the valve seat 29 and further flow of beverage through the apparatus is prevented.

FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings show that the same general relationship exists between the valve ring 26 and the choke valve member 36 when in the no flow position of FIG. 3,. or when moved down into the closed valve relationship shown in FIG. 2. Any entrained mass of liquid above the valve ring 26 in FIG. 3, when flow of material through the apparatus has terminated, will not drain down into the bottle initially because of the size relationship of the choke control valve and the valve ring and ultimately because of the prompt and rapid movement of the valve ring 26 down to closed position and a uniform filling action can be obtained.

As shown in the drawings, the ring 71 is preferably formed as a part of a tubular member 80 suitably secured to the counterpressure supply tube 28. The flange 27 also is part of such member 80 which has a groove in which the valve ring 26 is received.

The turbine blade effect provided in the apparatus of theinvention and the swirling flow pattern are benefits which improve the filling action and permit it to be obtained more rapidly and even to process beverages containing pulp in a satisfactory manner.

While one complete embodiment of the invention has been disclosed herein, it will be appreciated that modification of this particular embodiment of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A bottle filler device for counterpressure article filling machines having a member with a longitudinally extending bore therein forming a valve seat at one portion of said bore and being adapted to engage the upper end of a bottle at its lower end, a vertically positioned valve means reciprocally positioned for movement to and from engagement with said valve seat, and a counterpressure tube carried by said valve means on the longitudinal axis thereof and protruding vertically in both directions therefrom, the improvement of a beverage flow distributor means secured to said valve means and positioned therebelow, said distributor means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced blades positioned around said counterpressure tube and being generally radially positioned but inclined in a circumferential direction, said blades being formed as a unit with a support ring and with said blades extending downwardly in a generally axial direction from said ring and being of increased radial length at their lower ends.

2. In a device as in claim 1 where the periphery of said ring tapers inwardly from its top edge and the top edges of said blades protrude generally radially slightly from the top edge of said ring.

3. A device as in claim 1 where a tubular choke valve member encompasses and is resiliently carried by said valve means, said choke'valve member including a bottom ring which is downwardly and inwardly inclined on its inner surface, liquid flowing through said device to a bottle flowing down the inner surface of said bottom ring, and said choke valve member being positioned to have said bottom ring axially overlap at least the upper portions of said blades when liquid is flowing through said device.

4. A bottle filler device for counterpressure article filling machines having means therein having a longitudinally extending bore forming a valve seat at one por tion of said bore and being adapted to engage the upper end of a bottle at its lower end, a vertically positioned valve means reciprocally positioned for movement to and from engagement with said valve seat, and a counterpressure tube carried by said valve means on the longitudinal axis thereof and protruding vertically in both directions therefrom, the improvement of a beverage flow distributor means secured to said valve means and positioned therebelow, said distributor means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced blades positioned around said counterpressure tube and being generally radially positioned but inclined in a circumferential direction, said blades being formed as a unit with an annular support and extending downwardly therefrom, said blades axially overlapping said valve seat when said valve means is in its open position, said blades being inclined slightly to the axis of said counterpressure supply tube to direct liquid flowing by said blades in a helical, tubular path.

5. A device as in claim 4 and comprising said blades lower portions being of greater radial length than upper portions of said blades.

6. A device as in claim 4 and comprising said blades being circumferentially twisted to be inclined from the top to the bottom thereof.

7. A device as in claim 4 where a tubular choke valve member encompasses and is resiliently operatively associated with said valve means, said choke valve member including a bottom ring which is downwardly and inwardly inclined on the inner surface of said bottom ring, and said choke valve member being positioned to have said bottom ring axially overlap at least the upper portions of said blades when liquid is flowing through said device.

8. A device as in claim 4 and comprising the inner and outer ends of the lower ends of said blades being displaced radially in relation to each other. l l l 

1. A bottle filler device for counterpressure article filling machines having a member with a longitudinally extending bore therein forming a valve seat at one portion of said bore and being adapted to engage the upper end of a bottle at its lower end, a vertically positioned valve means reciprocally positioned for movement to and from engagement with said valve seat, and a counterpressure tube carried by said valve means on the longitudinal axis thereof and protruding vertically in both directions therefrom, the improvement of a beverage flow distributor means secured to said valve means and positioned therebelow, said distributor means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced blades positioned around said counterpressure tube and being generally radially positioned but inclined in a circumferential direction, said blades being formed as a unit with a support ring and with said blades extending downwardly in a generally axial direction from said ring and being of increased radial length at their lower ends.
 2. In a device as in claim 1 where the periphery of said ring tapers inwardly from its top edge and the top edges of said blades protrude generally radially slightly from the top edge of said ring.
 3. A device as in claim 1 where a tubular choke valve member encompasses and is resiliently carried by said valve means, said choke valve member including a bottom ring which is downwardly and inwardly inclined on its inner surface, liquid flowing through said device to a bottle flowing down the inner surface of said bottom ring, and said choke valve member being positioned to have said bottom ring axially overlap at least the upper portions of said blades when liquid is flowing through said device.
 4. A bottle filler device for counterpressure article filling machines having means therein having a longitudinally extending bore forming a valve seat at one portion of said bore and being adapted to engage the upper end of a bottle at its lower end, a vertically positioned valve means reciprocally positioned for movement to and from engagement with said valve seat, and a counterpressure tube carried by said valve means on the longitudinal axis thereof and protruding vertically in both directions therefrom, the improvement of a beverage flow distributor means secured to said valve means and positioned therebelow, said distributor means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced blades positioned around said counterpressure tube and being generally radially positioned but inclined in a circumferential direction, said blades being formed as a unit with an annular support and extending downwardly therefrom, said blades axially overlapping said valve seat when said valve means is in its open position, said blades being inclined slightly to the axis of said counterpressure supply tube to direct liquid flowing by said blades in a helical, tubular path.
 5. A device as in claim 4 and comprising said blades lower portions being of greater radial length than upper portions of said blades.
 6. A device as in claim 4 and comprising said blades being circumferentially twisted to be inclined from the top to the bottom thereof.
 7. A device as in claim 4 where a tubular choke valve member encompasses and is resiliently operatively associated with said valve means, said choke valve member including a bottom ring which is downwardly and inwardly inclined on the inner surface of said bottom ring, and said choke valve member being positioned to have said bottom ring axially overlap at least the upper portions of said blades when liquid is flowing through said device.
 8. A device as in claim 4 and comprising the inner and outer ends of the lower ends of said blades being dIsplaced radially in relation to each other. 